Read a full match report of the Championship game between Millwall and Cardiff
City at the New Den on Saturday March 19 2011.

Cardiff City boosted their promotion hopes with a thrilling draw in a keenly-contested affair against play-off hopefuls Millwall.

Despite an uneventful first half, it turned into a memorable afternoon as a committed and intense fixture saw the promotion pendulum swing back and forth throughout an epic second period. Six goals were plundered during 45 unpredictable and enthralling minutes.

The game sprung to life almost immediately after the break. A Cardiff attack found Chris Burke inside the six-yard box and he put his side ahead with a neat finish.

Millwall’s reply was almost instantaneous. A heavy challenge by Gabor Gyepes on Kevin Lisbie earned the hosts a penalty, which was duly converted by Liam Trotter.

Lisbie was again at the centre of things 10 minutes later as he headed Millwall in front and it looked as though the spoils may just go to the home side.

However, Cardiff continued to play for the win and a superb finish from Peter Whittingham in the 73rd minute put them back on level terms and set the stage for a grandstand finish.

Cardiff went close twice more before Burke scored his second of the afternoon in the 80th minute as he again found the bottom left-hand corner from inside the area.

Steve Morison levelled the game yet again in the 87th minute by chipping Stephen Bywater, meaning both sides had to settle for a point apiece.

To cap off a dramatic afternoon, Millwall’s Alan Dunne was dismissed in the 94th minute after a second yellow card.

“We needed to step up in the second half and have a go. It opened us up defensively but I’m very proud of the players. We’re now six points off of the play-offs, so it’s a good result for us,’’ Millwall manager Kenny Jackett said.